FIRST ♥ VIDEO / ACTION FOR NEW BARK

[amiroll]

[Is Johto ready? Because there are two ladies on the gear today, situated in a very familiar place. The first girl, a young brunette, is staring down into the camera. She’s figured it out already. The second girl sits behind her on the porch of mom’s house, staring down at her own Pokégear. She has blue hair, and she presses a button every ten seconds or so, very slowly. She has no idea how it works. She’s the first to speak up.]

Are you sure this is a telephone, Futami-san?

Ne, Chihaya-oneechan! Ami knows it’s a phone, and more! It’s the key to our success!

[Chihaya stares down at her gear some more, then slowly looks up at Ami.] The key...? Is this supposed to unlock something, too? [Ami does a sagelike nod, as if she had all the answers already. In truth, she’s pretty much just improvising.] It’s our main menu! It’s necessary on our epic travels. Without it, how will we get cute alternate outfits?

What are you talking about...? [Her voice trails off as she reaches for her bag. Resting on top of it is a ridiculous pink raincoat. It doesn’t look like something Chihaya would usually wear.] Are you talking about this? [There are even boots.]

Ufufufu~ Of course that’s what Ami’s talking about! [Actually, it just kind of worked out conveniently.] Take a look at Ami’s! Super Sexy Style! [Ami fumbles into her own bag, whipping out a children’s play outfit, complete with a yellow hardhat.] E-Eh?! This isn’t sexy at all!

[Chihaya can’t help but snicker a little at that, quietly. Behind her hand.] I don’t think either of these outfits are very suitable, Futami-san...

No fair! Now Ami looks unsexy for the camera![Ami places her hands to her head, shaking it around indignantly.]

[Wait, what. Chihaya looks up at her, a bit horrified.] E-eh? Your phone is filming, Futami-san? P-please, turn it off! Does this thing even have a camera in it...?

Geez, Chihaya-oneechan, Ami didn’t know you were so bashful! It makes me wonder how you’ll react when you find the camera in your dressing room.. [And, with a mischievous cackle and one more horrified look from Chihaya, the feed ends. The cackle, however, lives on forever into eternity. ...Of course, the cackle might nearby for some. Ami and Chihaya are in New Bark Town. Ami can be found exploring the area around Chihaya with her Mime Jr., whereas Chihaya can be found seated in one place, trying to figure out her Pokégear while a Minun sleeps on her lap.. She’s not going to ask for help, but both are free to be bothered!]

Comments

[nemurihime]

I think Futami-san mentioned something like that might be possible...she knows a lot about video games, doesn't she? You're right, though. We can worry about it later.

[Chihaya gives her best reassuring smile! It's not a true smile. She doesn't really want to be here, after all. She didn't exactly have the most normal childhood. She probably couldn't even put batteries in a Game Boy. That, and...it's all too strange.

But Ami and Makoto are being really cheerful. It's a little infectious.] I'm glad you're here as well, Kikuchi-san. It's better if we can all work together, isn't it?

[femininity]

Oh, that's a good idea. I'll ask Ami about it later.

[ and probably get a very strange, confusing answer. but all the same, makoto seems pumped about it. about everything. whatever worries she had have been kind of blasted aside from seeing two of her friends again. sure, this still isn't ideal, but she's gotta grab hold of whatever good news she gets for now. talking to azusa, yayoi and miki over the devices was one thing... but actually finding someone else from 765 pro in the flesh is something else. ]

Right! If we work together, we'll figure this place out in no time. [ she nods a bit, more or less to herself. ] We're supposed to go around and get badges and stuff... you heard about that, right?

[nemurihime]

I think that's for the best. I wonder if she's played this game before.

[Seeing Makoto does do Chihaya's heart some good. Ryo is good to see and all, but Makoto is the first person she's seen in person that she's worked with extensively. With Ami in Ryuuguu Komachi...Makoto is probably the closest person to her. Until one day passes. But what she brings up next has Chihaya fishing back into her bag.]

You mean what was in the trainer's guide? I read all of that. I didn't think Ami was going to, so one of us had to.

[femininity]

If she has, she'll know all about it. [ too bad makoto isn't as into games as they are...

likewise, makoto's probably closer to ryo than any of the other idols, but it's still a little different meeting up with someone she's spent so much more time with. but one way or the other, more is better! ]

I read it too... even though it was kind of boring. [ so skimmed, more or less. ] Isn't it cool though? We're trainers! Trainers! [ ...there's really nothing inherently cool about that, but she definitely seems to think so. ]

[nemurihime]

It had a lot of information it. [Someone has to be the responsible one, okay? Our only adult is Azusa.] There are sixteen badges, eight in Johto and eight in Kanto. [The familiar names aside, that pretty much sums up what they need to know, except...]

I didn't even introduce this one yet. [She's just going to bend over and carefully pick up her Minun, pausing once in a moment of "how do I hold this thing." Her partner stretches and yawns but doesn't really wake.] This is Minun.

[femininity]

It's kind of nice that they gave us a manual though, huh? I'd be totally lost without one.[ yep, only azusa... chihaya, it's all up to you. ] Sixteen... do you think we could split them up? [ this would go a lot faster if they each had to get a few... sadly that obviously doesn't work. ]

Oh, hey there! [ she recognizes the minun from before, though now her attention is focused on it. makoto reaches a cautious hand out towards it, wanting to pet it... but not sure if she should. eventually she tries anyway, squealing a bit with glee when she finally does. ] You got a really good one, Chihaya! You're lucky.

[nemurihime]

[Her partner yawns when Makoto pets her, sleepily opening one eye to see who the new person is. He only needs one glance before shutting his eyes, yawning once more and burying his face into Chihaya's arm.]

Eh? This one is a good one? How can you tell? I've only seen Ami's, and hers is much more...lively.

[femininity]

I can just tell! [ she's a good judge of strength. plus it's really cute. she just wants to wrap her arms around it and give it a hug...

but no, it's mostly the strength thing! right. makoto can tell it has lots of hidden potential for greatness. or something. she could tell a little better if she got to hug it, though... ] It's good to be lively, but sometimes you have to take things at your own pace too. [ though staring at the minun a bit longer, it really... doesn't seem very motivated.... ]

It kind of reminds me of Miki.

[nemurihime]

[Chihaya is immensely relieved that her Minun is, for the most part, Miki-like. A lively one like Ami's Kouhai wouldn't fit her well. So far, the idol and the electric mouse are moving at the same pace. Slowly and carefully.] If you think so, then it must be true. It looks like we'll be together for a while, at any rate. [Look, Makoto! You've coaxed a rare smile out of Chihaya.]

The...the Pokémon Dex told me that Minun is male. [She can't really tell otherwise, nor does it matter to her at all.] He does act like her, doesn't he?

[femininity]

We're supposed to raise them up to be big and strong, after all. [ that's really all she's understood about "training", but it nonetheless sounds like a good deal to her. ] We'll be together as long as it takes. [ woo, a smile. score one for team makoto. though there actually isn't any team playing against her in this competition, so the point is largely useless. still, a point's a point. ]

He really does. He even looks a little like her. [ kind of, if you tilt your head to the right angle. ] Oh, I should show you mine too, huh? [ she pulls out her pokeball, throwing it to summon for her ralts. it... seems pretty much just as lazy as chihaya's, considering as soon as it comes out it just sits on the ground and lets out a yawn. ]

[nemurihime]

That sounds like a perfect job for you or Ganaha-san, don't you think? [Chihaya has never trained anyone in her life, aside from the occasional dance tip or vocal tip shared amongst her fellow idols during practice.] I'll do my best to keep up.

[She looks down at what will later be named Adagio for his slower and peaceful nature.] I don't think I can't see it...he reminds me a little of Hamuzou, though...maybe.

[femininity]

Hibiki would be a lot better at it than me. [ thinking about it, makoto can't help but think hibiki would probably be unstoppable. ] But don't worry, if you need any help with anything, just ask!

[ she stares at the minun again for a bit, turning her head to the other side. ] Haha, yeah, he looks more like Hamuzou than Miki... [ though she definitely still thinks there's some resemblance. probably all the yellow. ]

[nemurihime]

You know karate, though, don't you? I think Producer-san might have mentioned that... [Or maybe it was Kotori. She doesn't remember. It fits her image either way.] Let's both do our best together.

[She thinks for a second about stroking behind one of his ears, but nope. She has no idea how to take care of an animal. She'll have to ask Azusa or Yayoi.] What kind of partner did you receive?

[femininity]

Aikido! [ she feels the need to correct her, even if it doesn't really make much of a difference. ] Eheh, so Producer mentioned that? [ that's both embarrassing and... well, no, mostly just embarrassing. ]

This guy! [ she turns back to her ralts again, whose happily flopped back on the ground again. not the most motivated of pokemon, but... ] I've got a lot of work ahead of me...

[nemurihime]

Akido? Is that what it's called? I'm sorry. [She wouldn't have remembered that.] He did, once, on the phone. I couldn't help but overhear.

[Or is that sometimes people just don't notice Chihaya standing there? Either way...what is that thing?] Kikuchi-san, are you sure that's a boy...?

[femininity]

I can show you how it works a little. It might help with your training. [ that is probably a terrible, terrible idea. ]

[ she looks at the ralts again, before nodding. ] I wasn't sure at first, but that's what my Pokedex says.

[nemurihime]

[It really, really is. She can't really bring herself to say no, though, so she gives a noncommittal answer.] I wouldn't mind seeing it sometime, no. [Sometime.]

What's his name? He looks...unique. [She means that in the nicest way.]

[femininity]

Alright! I'll show you. Maybe once we're on the road.

I actually haven't decided yet. [ she made a bit deal about it to someone else, so now she's kind of psyched herself out a bit... ] Do you have any ideas? I want it to be a good one...

[nemurihime]

[She looks down at her Minun, then back at Ralts, then back at Makoto.] I wouldn't know, either. I'm still thinking of one for mine.

[femininity]

Oh. Right. Hahah, that's true, huh... [ she just smiles a bit longer, before letting out a sigh. ] Being a trainer is harder than I thought it'd be.

[nemurihime]

I don't think it will be easy, either. [Then again, she never considered ever having a pet.]

[femininity]

But it'll definitely be fun!

[nemurihime]

I'm sure it will be very lively as well, Kikuchi-san, with all of us together.

[femininity]

That's true. I kind of wish everyone else was here too, though.

[nemurihime]

Do you think they'll show up soon, too?